For Pets' Sake

Dr. Pete Rucker uses a stethoscope to listen to Charly's heart and lungs to check for abnormalities, in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Charly, approximately 2-years-old, was a stray cat that recently showed ago at a local house. The new owner wanted Charly to receive his initial vaccines and check him for any diseases. Charly was found to have Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV, which has no known treatment, attacks the immune system, leaving Charly vulnerable to many other infections.

Veterinary Technicians Kristina Cruz, left, and Bailey Hoffman, center, comfort Dozer, a 10-year-old German Shepherd as Micaela Brown, right, a receptionist, holds Jumper, a young goat. The back office of the Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic consists of three bays in which pets can be treated in tandem.

A young opossum observes the room while being held by a veterinary technician. Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic also rehabilitates wildlife. This young, orphaned opossum was found in a parking lot and brought to the clinic. He is fed twice a day on a special formula and is very popular amongst the technicians. When he has grown enough to survive on his own, he will be released back into the wild.

Veterinary Technician, Alyson Thompson, left, holds Sammy, an elderly chicken while veterinarian Dr. Pete E. Rucker checks her for a skin condition.

Four dogs are boarded in separate kennels. Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic also provides boarding services for pet owners who are away.

Alyson Thompson, top, holds Mozzie gently by the head while another technician palpates Mozzie's throat. Mozzie, a 12-year-old mixed breed dog, was brought to the clinic because of a lack of energy and refusal to eat. Mozzie was kept overnight at the clinic and suspected to have pancreatitis.

Dozer, a 10-year-old German Shepherd lays on the floor on a blanket while being comforted. Dozer was brought to the clinic to be euthanized. He had multiple conditions that limited his mobility and caused chronic pain. At Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic, dogs that come for euthanasia are given a sweet chocolate treat and surrounded by loving technicians before being put to sleep.

Megan Yates, veterinary technician at Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic embraces an elderly chihuahua who was scared and trembling. Megan started working at the clinic in July 2021 after their expansion into a bigger, more modern space. The veterinary technicians of the clinic often take time throughout the day to comfort and cuddle the pets entrusted to their care.

Veterinary Technician Kristina Cruz prepares to take a young dog back to his owner after vaccination shots. Excelsior Springs Animal Clinic has five identical exam rooms that serve dozens of animals every day.

Through the windows of the surgery room, Morgyn Hubbard, right, checks on patient charts while her fellow technician Madison Douglas, left, walks through the hall.

Veterinarian Dr. Jessica Gardner, right, checks the pupil reflexes and ocular structures of a young dog named Mozzarella while veterinary technician Kylie Hough, left, gently holds his head. Mozzarella had been brought in by his owner because he was lethargic and urinating uncontrollably.

Veterinarian Dr. Jessica Gardner makes an initial incision to spay a young female cat. Cats can reach sexual maturity at four months of age. Spaying and neutering reduces the number of unwanted cats.

Veterinarian Dr. Pete Rucker, right, holds Fetty Wop, a rabbit, after ear repair surgery. Small animals like cats and rabbits are at higher risk of fatality after anesthesia. To help reduce the risks, the doctors at Excelsior Springs Animal Center will use reverse anesthetics to awaken the animals after surgery and hold them to keep them warm.

Veterinarian Dr. Pete Rucker bottle feeds an orphaned fawn in the early morning at his wildlife sanctuary. Dr. Rucker takes in many wild animals and also funds their care. Fawns need special formula at least twice a day to survive. Once they are old enough for release, Dr. Rucker will let set them loose on his 40-acre property.